The name Cantral reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Cantral family lived in Lancashire. The family descend from a Norman noble who arrived from the area of Chantarel,Normandy with the 1066 invasion. The name is possibly derived from the Old French word chanterelle, which translates in English to a small bell.

Early Origins of the Cantral family

The surname Cantral was first found in Lancashire where they held a family seat from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Cantral family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cantral research.Another 163 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 120 and 1200 are included under the topic Early Cantral History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cantral Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Cantral include Cantrell, Cantrel, Cantrill, Cantril, Chantrell and many more.

Early Notables of the Cantral family (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Cantral Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cantral family to Ireland

Some of the Cantral family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.Another 45 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cantral family to the New World and Oceana

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Cantrals to arrive on North American shores: William Cantrill who settled in Virginia in 1608, twelve years before the "Mayflower," was descended from Humphrey Cantrill from Woodley Wokingham. The family settled in Tennessee, Georgia, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Pennsylvania and New York.

The Cantral Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.